Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK, PRK, SMILE): Effectiveness, Risks, and Candidacy

Refractive surgery reshapes the cornea to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Major techniques:

• LASIK: Flap creation + excimer ablation. Rapid recovery.
• PRK: Surface ablation, no flap. Longer healing, preferred for thin corneas.
• SMILE: Femtosecond lenticule extraction via small incision. Flapless, less dry eye.

Outcomes

• >95% achieve 20/20 or better uncorrected vision.
• High patient satisfaction (>98%).
• Stable long‑term results in most.

Risks

• Dry eye (often temporary)
• Glare, halos, starbursts (night vision)
• Under/over‑correction (enhancement possible)
• Flap complications (LASIK only)
• Corneal ectasia (rare, <0.2%)

Candidacy

Age ≥18, stable refraction ≥1 year, adequate corneal thickness, healthy ocular surface, no uncontrolled autoimmune disease. Comprehensive preoperative evaluation is mandatory.